In August 1975, we began to visit a small Baptist church in Jacksonville, Florida.  At the time, I was twenty-two years old and searching.  I had joined a Baptist church to play on the church softball team.  I filled out a card and was baptized, but no one told me about Jesus Christ.  After sitting under the sound of the Gospel for three months and seeing genuine Christianity in the life of the pastor, I knew I had found the answer. 

On October 3, 1975, the greatest experience that could ever happen to a person happened to me.  I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior and Lord.  I came repenting of my sins, desiring to live my life for Him.  Because of Jesus, I am not what I used to be.  In 1978, I surrendered to full-time Christian service and enrolled in school.  Upon graduation from Bible College, I served under Dr. Harold Hudson for eighteen months before going to Calvary Baptist Church in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1996, I resigned from Calvary Baptist and began seminary at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (1996 – 2003) in Wake Forest, NC. In 1997, I was called as pastor of Green Pines Baptist Church in Knightdale, NC.

I have been leading short-term-mission trips since 1992 to Ukraine, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia.  I have been in full-time Christian ministry and pastored three churches since 1978.  I have been the Senior Pastor here at Crescent Beach Baptist since 2003. 

I  have been married to my high school sweetheart, Sandy, since 1973.  We have one daughter, Lauren, who is married to Billy Terrell.  We have been blessed with three grandsons: Christian, Liam and Chase, and two granddaughters: Maeleigh, and Madison. 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

I was born in Tampa, Florida, and attended various schools in Florida and Tennessee. After my family returned to Florida, we settled in St. Augustine where I graduated from Saint Augustine High School in 1974. In 1976, I joined the Florida National Guard and served until 1988. In 1980, I met and married the former Kathy Strickland. In 1985, I was lead to the Lord Jesus Christ by Bro. David Beauchamp at Calvary Baptist Church in St. Augustine. Later that year, Bro David baptized me and I began serving in the ministry. In 1991, I surrendered to full-time Christian service, and was ordained at Calvary Baptist Church.

I have been a member of Crescent Beach Baptist Church since 2008. In 2010, I began serving as Interim Youth Pastor and currently serving as the Associate Pastor since 2012. I have a strong desire to lead people in biblical knowledge so they can experience the abundant life Jesus promises. Thirty years of believing and teaching God’s Word, and still growing to become what God has called all of us to do. Kathy and I are very proud to have raised three God worshiping young men, Caleb, Luke and Joshua. We have four grandchildren; 3 boys and 1 girl.

 Favorite Scripture: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

WORSHIP PASTOR

I was born in southeastern Iowa, then our family moved to Kansas City, MO when I reached upper elementary school. I grew up going to church, but was never presented the gospel. In 1980 at age 13, my sister asked me to watch a youth rally program on television. I’d refused her before, but this time I watched and heard the Gospel for the first time. When the program closed, they encouraged those watching to call a phone line and speak to one of their counselors. Hearing the truth with understanding through the Spirit made me know I didn’t need to talk to anyone. I went to my bedroom, bowed down by my bed and prayed in faith for Jesus to forgive me and save me. That night was a total surrender of my life to Jesus, the only One who could save me. The next morning, I told my sister about it and she immediately guided me to scripture to read and memorize. God gave me a deep desire to know Him through His Word and prayer. Within a few months, I was asking about how to discern a call into vocational ministry. Without solid preaching in our family’s church, I sought teaching through the media ministries of Chuck Swindoll and John MacArthur.

With a strong love for the Word of God and my friends and acquaintances who didn’t know Jesus, I served God every place I could, even witnessing to and praying for my friends in church. God gave me many opportunities to sing and preach in both high school and Bible college.

In the summer of 1988, I received a scholarship to attend a summer music camp where I met Amanda Allen. We quickly fell in love and I transferred to Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. We married in 1990 and I moved to Illinois as Amanda completed her Masters degree. God gave me opportunity to serve in worship ministry part-time while finishing my degree, then two other interim positions over the next several years as I worked as a public school music & choral teacher.

Then God brought me to a crossroad. The school year was ending and I needed answers. I was clearly unhappy as a school teacher. Listening to God for direction, He led me to quit teaching and trust His provision. Soon He led us to our first place in full-time ministry in North Carolina and later to complete my Master of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist TheologicalSeminary in Wake Forest, NC. We’ve also been blessed to serve in five other Baptist congregations in North Carolina and Virginia before our call to Crescent Beach Baptist in October of 2024. During those years, I’ve had the blessing of ministering in various capacities on eight short-term mission teams in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Cuba, India, Thailand and Romania.

 Amanda and I have three children - Landon, Nathan and Abigail who are following the Lord with their spouses and children in Colorado, Tennessee and Alabama respectively. We also are blessed with five grandchildren so far: Spencer, Naomi, Jonas & Greyson (twins), and Eden.

Favorite Scripture: “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”” John‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭

 I am a St. Augustine local; who was blessed to grow up in a Christian home. On January 19, 2000, I asked Jesus to save me from my sins. In eighth grade, my family started actively attending Crescent Beach Baptist Church. As an active member of the youth group, I participated in mission trips to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There I had my whole world shaken by one question, "What did you do for God today?" That night I had a conversation with God and realized I needed Him to be Lord of my life. After high school graduation, I sought to find my place serving the Lord as an adult. I was hired as the Children's Ministry Director at Crescent Beach. While serving, I attended Flagler College. I graduated in 2015 with a degree in General Education. My fiancé (now husband) felt God calling us to North Carolina and we lived there for two years. Since then, I have served for 7 years in a classroom. My heart is bursting with joy to be called back to serve at Crescent Beach Baptist Church as Children's Ministry Director. This is home for my family. Here is where I met the love of my life, was married, and dedicated my family to the Lord. I have been married to Jordan since 2016 and have been blessed with two beautiful children.

 Favorite Scripture: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

I was born and raised in St. Augustine, FL and grew up under Brother David’s leadership at Calvary Baptist Church. I was saved when I was five years old, on October 9, 1990. I praise God every day that He kept me close to Him from a young age. I graduated from Menendez High School in 2003. I then studied Political Science and Pre-law at Flagler College. I met my sweet husband, Matthew, in 9th grade and we were married on May 3rd, 2008. He is my best friend and a gift from God. Before coming to CBBC, we attended several churches in St. Augustine. We knew almost instantly that God made our church home at CBBC. We moved our membership to CBBC in 2012. God has blessed us with three beautiful children: Noah, Anderson, and Claire. I am blessed to be a homeschool mom where I am able to learn and grow with my family every day. It is one of my greatest joys! I am humbled that God has allowed me to serve Him in being the Nursery/Preschool Director at CBBC. It is an honor and a joy! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for our Little Lambs!

 Favorite Scripture: "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." Proverbs 31:25-26 

FACILITIES MANAGER

I was born in Norwalk, Connecticut and grew up in a beautiful, small, farm town in New Milford, Connecticut. I am married to a strong and wonderful woman, Christy. We met after I moved to St. Augustine. We are blessed with a hard working son, who is currently in college for sports management. Christy and I are both independent contractors in home remodeling and cleaning. We are blessed to look after the CBBC grounds and facility. We also love teaching the College and Career class at CBBC. I love spending quality time with family and friends and growing together in our spiritual walk. I am grateful and blessed to have had a Godly mentor, brother, and father-figure in Mr. Wayne Douglas, whom I miss dearly. I also love coaching local youth sports. Each day is a chance to take steps in the direction to glorify God. Not perfection but direction.

 Favorite Scripture: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8  

 I was born in Lake City, Florida where I attended public schools and graduated from Columbia High School. While attending an EJ Daniels tent revival, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour at the age of 12. In 1968, I graduated from Patricia Stevens Career College in Tampa, Florida. After working in the public financial sector, I worked 17 years Civil Service with the USDA and the Federal Aviation Administration. While working for the FAA in Palm Coast, I met Charles and we were married in 1994. In 1996, I began working in full-time church ministry areas: Pre-school/Children, Middle School, Singles, Seniors, Music, including 13 years as Executive Administrative Assistant to several Senior Pastors.

 I have taught various ages of children’s Sunday school classes, and Adult Bible Fellowship. At our former church, my husband and I both lead and facilitated the DivorceCare Ministry for eleven years. DivorceCare is a biblically based ministry directed by Church Initiatives. In 2013, Charles and I both retired and moved from Fredericksburg, VA to St. Augustine. Well I thought I was retired, until the Lord called me back into church ministry as the Ministry Assistant here at Crescent Beach Baptist Church. Alongside my husband, we have traveled many times to the Holy Land leading groups to experience the land where Jesus walked. I have one son, and two adult grandchildren. I enjoy cooking/entertaining, scrapbooking, photography, and fishing.

 Favorite Scripture. “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2

 I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii (Dad was in the Marines). I think being born on an island has made me automatically drawn to the water. I prefer the beach, but a lake or river will do as well. I was raised mainly in South Florida. It was there, by God’s divine hand that I heard about Jesus and received Him as Savior and Lord around the 7th grade. I was mentored a little, so only grew a little. As an adult I taught Sunday School mainly Kindergarteners to 3rd graders and was a VBS Director for about 5 years. Which made me laugh because I never went as a child, but God and His support staff made them great years.

In 2004 I moved to St. Augustine. About 3 years in is when I met a strong group of women and really started to grow Spiritually. I love studying God’s Word and prayer time is so important to me. I continued to teach Sunday School and filled in the Ladies class when needed at a previous church. Now, at CBBC, I substitute for the Peace Sunday School Class when needed.

Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama is where I received a Bachelor’s in Deaf Education. After graduations and 3 more months in a sock mill, I received a teaching job. I taught six years in Georgia. For fun, I like walking about downtown St. Augustine and day hikes with friends. I also do various arts ‘n crafts. Nothing fancy.

Favorite Scripture: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6